Donald Trump on Sunday called on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and other diesel infrastructure, saying the attacks were causing a global shortage. He spoke in Ireland after average U.S. diesel prices hit a record above $6 a gallon on Friday. A day later, Trump said on his Truth Social network that Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to hit each other's energy targets, though there was no immediate confirmation of any deal from Kyiv or Moscow.
What did Trump say in Ireland? "Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf club, PBS NewsHour reported. "There are plenty of other targets. Don't hit diesel fuel, because that's hurting, that's hurting the world," he said. Ukraine has for months targeted Russia's oil and gas industry, prompting fuel rationing there and a Russian ban on diesel exports in July, though the global crunch also followed the war on Iran curtailing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the Russia-Ukraine war, not the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, was to blame.
What did he announce on Monday? "Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!" read the post, which also blamed the world's diesel price rise mostly on "the Russia/Ukraine War, not Iran." It came as oil prices kept climbing in the seventh month of the Iran war, weeks before U.S. midterm elections.
How did Kyiv respond? Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to halt its strikes if partners could ensure Russia "genuinely refrains from striking our electricity system, other energy facilities, critical infrastructure, and food supply routes." He said Kyiv was "not convinced that Russia is willing to abide by an agreement" and wanted assurance of a lasting deal, Deutsche Welle reported. "We expect specifics from our partners," he said.
How did Moscow respond? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any call on Kyiv to stop strikes on civilian economic infrastructure "can only be welcomed," PBS NewsHour reported. On Tuesday, in comments reported by Deutsche Welle, Peskov called the proposed "energy ceasefire" "a very good idea overall" but did not say whether Russia would agree, saying Russia must also be allowed to export its oil unhindered. Russia launched 200 more drones at Ukrainian cities overnight, killing two people, and Zelenskyy said Ukraine struck an oil refinery in Syzran in response.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
